Life After Death arrives in stores, ironically and tragically, less than three weeks after the Notorious B.I.G. was killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles. Biggie Smalls, as he was known, quickly became one of rap's most respected MCs after the 1994 release of his debut album, READY TO DIE. His music sparked the comeback of East Coast hip-hop, while his very being added fire to rap's over-publicized East-West rivalry. For some (see "Playa Hater"), Biggie's success was too much to handle, and he became a primary target in hip-hop's continuing feud. Never feeding into that war on wax, B.I.G. chose to remain silent, until LIFE AFTER DEATH became a reality, and the situation spoke for itself.
Although song titles like "You're Nobody (Til Somebody Kills You)" eerily mirror the real-life tragedy, the music on LIFE AFTER DEATH serves to bring the Notorious B.I.G. back to life. As anything that he appeared on, the production (by a superstar conglomerate including Sean "Puffy" Combs and the Wu-Tang Clan's RZA) is top-notch, and his lyrical skills are razor sharp. Biggie was loved for his versatility. On "Notorious Thugs," he switches up his style to rhyme like a member of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Tracks like "Hypnotize" showcase his ability to be hardcore and commercial at the same time. Another talented rapper lost to senseless violence; B.I.G.'s winning album streak will, sadly, have to end here.
- Format: Vinyl
- Genre: Rap & Hip-Hop
Track Listing:
A1 Life After Death Intro
A2 Somebody's Gotta Die
A3 Hypnotize
A4 Kick In The Door
B1 Fuck You Tonight
B2 Last Day
B3 I Love The Dough
B4 What's Beef?
C1 B.I.G. Interlude
C2 Mo Money Mo Problems
C3 Niggas Bleed
C4 I Gotta Story To Tell
D1 Notorious Thugs
D2 Miss U
D3 Another
D4 Going Back To Cali
E1 Ten Crack Commandments
E2 Playa Hater
E3 Nasty Boy
E4 Sky's The Limit
F1 The World Is Filled...
F2 My Downfall
F3 Long Kiss Goodnight
F4 You're Nobody (Til Somebody Kills You)
